INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION: Final call for media accreditation for the World Conference on International Telecommunications

(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ORIGINAL: English
Final call for media accreditation for the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 3-14 December 2012
ACCREDITATION CLOSES 23 NOVEMBER
Geneva, 21 November 2012 - Journalists are advised that accreditation for the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) which takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from 3-14 December 2012, will close at 17:00 CET, 23 November.

WCIT-12 will review the current International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs), which serve as the binding global treaty designed to facilitate global interconnection and interoperability of information and communication services, as well as ensuring their efficiency and widespread public usefulness and availability.

During the two-week conference, around 1,800 delegates from ITU Member States will debate revisions to the current treaty to help it better meet the needs of 21st century networks and users.

The treaty sets out general principles for assuring the free flow of information around the world and promoting affordable and equitable access for all. "ITU is adamant that freedom of access and expression on the Internet is something no-one can take away; on the contrary, any new ITRs should strengthen this," said ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun I. Tour. "Freedom of expression and the right to communicate are already enshrined in carefully crafted international treaties, including Article 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Such treaties are universal, and indisputable."
Dr Tour recently called for governments around the world to engage with a broad range of stakeholders from across industry and civil society, to ensure all voices are heard. Many representatives from leading private sector companies and civil society organizations are already registered to participate in the event as part of national delegations.

The ITRs were last negotiated in Melbourne, Australia in 1988. The current treaty binds 178 countries.

An FAQ, a comprehensive set of Background Briefs covering the main discussion topics and a WCIT Myth-Buster presentation can be found at: www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/WCIT-backgroundbriefs.aspx. The compilation of proposals which was the main outcome of the WCIT-12 preparatory process can be found at: www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Documents/draft-future-itrs-public.pdf. Proposals continue to be received, and a revised version of this document will be prepared for the start of the meeting, and posted on the ITU WCIT-12 website on 3 December. The current ITRs can be found at: www.itu.int/oth/T3F01000001. The main WCIT-12 Newsroom can be found at: http://www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/newsroom.aspx.

What:
ITU World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12)
When:
3-14 December, 2012
Where:
Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, United Arab Emirates
Why:
WCIT-12 is a landmark global treaty-making conference that is expected to generate compelling debate and discussion on a wide spectrum of issues and challenges facing the ICT community.

Who:
Some 1,800 representatives from across the global information and communications community, including delegates from some 150 ITU Member States, along with private industry, R&D institutions, academia and the public.

Media accreditation
Official accreditation is essential to attend this UN event. Accreditation formally closes at 17:00 CET, 23 November 2012. There will be no accreditation onsite, and strictly no admittance to the venue without an event badge.

To apply for accreditation, or for more information, please visit: www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/media-accreditation.aspx.

Official UN press accreditation is valid, but UN-accredited media must register in order to obtain an event badge. Please contact
Journalists and analysts who have already formally accredited for ITU events in 2012 and whose details have not changed since accreditation do not need to resubmit accreditation credentials, but still need to register for an event badge at:
www.itu.int/en/wcit-12/Pages/media-accreditation.aspx.

WCIT-12 is organized by ITU and hosted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of UAE.

Website: www.itu.int
Facebook: www.itu.int/facebook
Twitter: www.itu.int/twitter
About TRA
TRA is an independent public authority established in 2003 to support the UAE ICT sector by safeguarding competition, providing fair access to the domestic infrastructure, and ensuring the optimal use of natural resources through the implementation of best practice in every area. It mission is to protect the interests of subscribers, to enhance the readiness of e-services, to encourage investment, innovation, development and education, to meet corporate social responsibility, and to create an optimal enabling environment in which the UAE ICT sector will emerge as a leader in the global market place.

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